Baby Fever...

In less than 1 month I will no longer have a baby...this past year has gone by so fast. I can't believe we have gone from this....

to this...

A few friends of mine are having babies soon and since I'm about to get a little boy as "my baby" turns 1, I have started getting baby fever again. I know we don't need another baby yet-I don't have time because of school- and we can't afford one...but, as excited as I am to have a 1 year old, it is bitter sweet...

If any of my friends having a baby soon would like to move to San Diego--I fully support you and that decision.

Do Not Be Afraid

So I have been reading a daily devotional recently called Quiet Times for Couples by H. Norman Wright. Pat and I are not, currently, reading it together, but that is okay. I am praying he will want to soon but until then, I will read and pray for the both of us and try to be the best example I can be. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy Jude 24. I want to be an Earthly example of what Christ was to us. My desire is that I can help to keep Pat, my spouse, from stumbling.

ANYWAY....I read a piece recently about worrying. I know a lot of us do it, myself included because, well, with adulthood comes worry...I thought I would share this one with you...I will continue to post what I have read every once in awhile because I think we can all use a good reminder that God is here and can be our comforter, healer, savior, protector and Father....

"They...cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus said to them, "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid." Matthew 14:26-27

"Pay attention! Look at me! Give me your undivided attention!" These are common phrases which teachers, parents, and even spouses say to each other. Focusing your attention on a person helps you recieve what that person has to offer. It keeps you from being distracted.

One of the greatest distractions in life is worry. The tendency to ask 'what if?' again and again keeps us from resolving problems. What are some of your worries?

As Jesus walked on the water toward His disciples, He called Peter to climb out of the boat and walk to Him, which he did. Peter was doing fine until he lost hi focus and became distracted. He looked at the waves of the storm instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus. His fear rose and he began to sink.

Peter's situation has something to say to each of us. If he had kept his eyes upon Jesus, who was the source of his strength, Peter would have been alright. But his eyes strayed, and he was overwhelmed by the problem and crumbled.

Worry is like that. We concentrate too hard on the problem and forget the solution. This creates more difficulties. Some problems won't go away. Some concerns are legitimate. Sharing those concerns with Jesus and asking for His guidance will give us the ability to weather any storm.

Who is your focus on this week?

A Quiet Anniversary

Today is my 1st wedding anniversary. I cannot believe that a year ago today Pat and I said I do in a small room with my parents and his family. As I sit here, so thankful for the man God brought into my life and allowed me to fall in love with, I cannot help but think about where I was a year and one week ago.
I was in the hospital (TWICE) trying to make sure that my sweet baby bear did not make his debut too early (as uncomfortable as I was starting to feel). I was so scared. I didn't have my family or Pat near me and often felt so alone. Thank God for my sister who stepped up and was there for me 100%. All I had to do-from day 1- was call her and she dropped everything and came to me. Katie-I love you and will never be able to thank you for everything you did for me, Ryder, and Pat.

Today is quiet, at least for now as Ryder is napping, and I am so thankful for all the blessings God has given me.

Invisible Children

Make Kony famous-shine light on his actions so he can be brought to justice and these babies, these children, can be saved!

December 31, 2012-Deadline

Baking Up a Storm

While Ryder took his nap today (which he is still taking right now), I got into a Suzie Homemaker mood and decided to bake.
I started dinner in the crock pot-a roast with lots of onions, carrots, potatoes, and RED MEAT-I put different spices in it as well as some Tony Roma's barbeque sauce-it's an experiment so we will see how it turns out.

I also made some from scratch banana bread. I got the recipe from a book my sister in law gave me called "Any Blonde Can Cook" (You can follow Katie's website by clicking here to Catch Up with the Cullens ). It was a big hit. The recipe is as follows:
Banana Bread
1/2 c oil
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c all-purpose flour
2 t. vanilla
1 t. baking SODA
1/2 t. salt
3-4 bananas, mashed

1) Cream oil and sugar until light and fluffy
2) Add eggs one at a time-beating completely
3) Sift flour, baking soda and salt
4) Mix into creamed mixture
5) Fold in the bananas and vanilla
6) Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

**You can had chopped pecans if you like the extra crunch-just fold it in with the bananas and vanilla**

*A side note-I use splenda instead of sugar so it's sugar free and there aren't the extra calories from the sugar.*

I'll post the recipe to the blueberry muffins and sugar cookies, later.

My Grass is Green...is yours?

I guess its easy to forget, sometimes, what is most important to you. What you value most. What your priorities are. You remind yourself about what you love, but when things become mundane and predictable, it's easy to wonder what color the grass is in your neighbor's yard. Sitting here, watching Ryder sleep, my world is complete and wonderful and whole. I never want to forget this feeling, the way my sweet Widdle makes me feel.
I pray you don't forget what is important to you and what makes you smile. Your grass is just as green as mine, and mine as green as yours...sometimes it might be a different shade of green or kind of grass-but it's green:)

Baby Bowen

Recently, I learned that one of the women I have looked up to since I was a teenager was pregnant. (That makes her sound "old". but she isn't-she's only a few years older than me.) I just found out that she went into early labor at the end of January and had sweet baby Bowen 12 weeks early.
She and her husband have created a CaringBridge page to stay updated but she has been so busy (as any mom who has had a baby in the NICU can relate to) and has only been able to update a few times. Sweet baby boy has had his good days and his not so good days. He has grown some but is still struggling and needs some prayers. If you could please take a moment and lift up Baby B and his mommy and daddy right now, I know it would be greatly appreciated. I know that his blood gas levels are a prayer request as well as gas in his belly from his C PAP and also his PDA.
Baby Bowen, though I haven't met him yet, is a precious new life that I am absolutely in love with already and hope that you will take a minute to lift him up to God in your thoughts and prayers today.